The stores have been celebrating Christmas for a month already (if not longer). And yet, the Church doesn't begin celebrating Christmas until December 25. Because the birth of Christ is such an important feast day, the Church continues to celebrate for 12 days (hence the song). Before Christmas, however, we get to prepare for the great feast during the liturgical season of Advent. It is a season of joyful anticipation, hope, and remembrance of the eternal plan of God.
The readings at Mass help us remember all of the promises of the coming Savior, relayed to us by the Prophets of the Old Testament. We hear about the announcement of the birth of Christ, as told by the archangel Gabriel to Mary. Please, take time to really celebrate Advent, and don't let Christmas come too early!
The readings at Mass help us remember all of the promises of the coming Savior, relayed to us by the Prophets of the Old Testament. We hear about the announcement of the birth of Christ, as told by the archangel Gabriel to Mary. Please, take time to really celebrate Advent, and don't let Christmas come too early!
Our Lady of Guadalupe
(December 12)
In 1531 Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a Catholic peasant, outside of what is now Mexico City. She asked for a church to be built on that very spot. The Bishop at first refused. Mary continued to ask Juan Diego to ask for the church. She brought about the healing of his sick uncle and comforted him with the words "Am I not here who am your mother?".
The Bishop asked for a sign; Mary told Juan to pick the roses that had grown - in the winter - and arranged them in his cloak. When he brought these roses to the Bishop, her image, what we now call Our Lady of Guadalupe was left on his tilma.
The Bishop asked for a sign; Mary told Juan to pick the roses that had grown - in the winter - and arranged them in his cloak. When he brought these roses to the Bishop, her image, what we now call Our Lady of Guadalupe was left on his tilma.
This cloak has never disintegrated, and many studies have been performed on the image, noting the real eyes, the constellations in her starry mantle, and more. The apparition of Mary to Juan Diego brought about the conversion of Mexico to Christianity. Our school children will be celebrating Our Lady of Juan Diego on December 12 with all school Mass and a short skit telling the story after Mass.
